Lenny Rodgie inquest - 62 year old tenants campaigner who had epilepsy, died of pneumonia

Published: 21 April 2011
By JOSIE HINTON

A POPULAR tenants leader who tirelessly campaigned to raise awareness of the plight of epilepsy sufferers died from pneumonia, an inquest heard.

Lenny Rodgie, who lived in Camden all his life, was found by staff at a supported housing block in Endell Street, Holborn, where he lived, on January 24.

A post-mortem examination revealed the 62-year-old died from the inflammatory condition in his lungs. 

At St Pancras Coroner’s Court yesterday (Wednesday), epilepsy was recorded as a contributory factor, but the court heard the condition Mr Rodgie devoted a lifetime highlighting did not cause his death. 

The inquest heard how Mr Rodgie, who was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 11, would have regular seizures and was in and out of hospital up until his death.

He had remained free from seizures for three months following brain surgery in 2006, before they returned. In 2009, he went through a period of depression after doctors at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neuroscience in Blooms­bury, where he was treated, told him there was nothing more they could do surgically.

His daughter, Diane Wallace, said that in the weeks before his death his mood was much more positive.

Ms Wallace, who lives in Oval Road, Camden Town, told the court: “He was in extremely high spirits that day. We did remark on his mood as he was verging on euphoric. We were worried about it because we thought he was heading for a fall when he had another fit.”

Lorna Rodgie, another Mr Rodgie’s three daughters, said he would always play down his suffering. “He would fall down in the street,” she said. “People treated him quite badly throughout his life but he would get up and carry on as usual. He was actually quite positive about his illness.”

A statement read out to the court from Professor Matthew Walker, Mr Rodgie’s neurologist, described him as “fiercely independent”.

Mr Rodgie was a tireless campaigner and raised thousands of pounds for the National Epilepsy Society. He spoke in parliamentary committee debates and was the first person to have an epileptic fit on television. 

He also chaired the tenants’ association at Delancey Studios in Camden Town, where he fought for better conditions at the council block and campaigned for electric gates to keep drug dealers out of the stairwell.

Speaking outside the court, his three daughters paid tribute to an “exceptional man.” Lorna Rodgie said: “Camden won’t be the same without him. He’ll leave a definite hole.”

Coroner Suzanne Greenaway recorded a verdict of death due to natural causes.